Wednesday, October 12, 2011

Environmental Development Projects in Peru - Wind generator construction and rural community installation.

My name is K. Michael VerKamp and I am the founder of WindAid, a wind energy program in Peru. By locally building wind turbines, we provide clean and affordable electricity for communities who have no access to electricity.
 
I was wondering if you would please circulate this email to students or colleagues in your circle, as I am certain this is a topic that would be of great interest. It would be of interest to all students or anyone with an interest in renewable energy, the environment/climate change or volunteering. We have had volunteers from 9 different countries with various educational backgrounds and interests.
 
We are based in Trujillo, North Peru, and together with our volunteers we build 2.5 kW wind turbines for small communities that are part of some 7 million people living in Peru with no access to electricity. Volunteers have the opportunity to experience the life and cultures in Peru and fully manufacture, assemble and install a wind turbine that is then given to a community or school which needs it most.

Participants in our projects do not need any pre-requisite skills (Ability to Speak Spanish is not essential because we work speaking English) or knowledge of wind turbines, but can be involved in projects that have an immediate and direct impact on the lives of Peruvians. One wind turbine built by volunteers can provide lights for up to 37 homes, power 10 laptops for a school or run water pumps to bring running water to over 30 houses.

Practical experience with resin composites, carbon fiber, steel structure, electrical systems, aerodynamics, and many other displines are involved in our program. Additionally, the social aspects and unique entrerpreneurial approach where success is measured in impact, not just bottom line, offer additional interesting learning experiences for the participants.
 
The dates for our upcoming projects are:
2011 (5 week program)

7th November - 9th December (limited space)

2012 (Please note that there are now 1, 2, and 4 week programs.)
1st Jan - 13th Jan (1 space available)
25th Jan - 17th Feb (limited space)
18th Mar - 24th Mar (limited space)
25th Mar - 31st Mar (limited space)
9th Apr - 4th May (limited space)
21st May - 15th June (limited space)
25th Jun - 20th Jul (Full)
30th Jul - 24th Aug (2 spaces available)
4th Sep 28th Sep (3 spaces available)
8th Oct - 2nd Nov (limited space)
12th Nov - 7th Dec (open)

Each project is limited to 8 volunteers, and places do fill quickly (especially for the May - August projects), so interested volunteers should contact us as soon as possible. Long term volunteer positions are considered on a case by case basis.
 
Our website is www.windaid.org, or please visit our Facebook group (http://www.facebook.com/windaid.org) and take a look at photos of our past projects.
 
I have also attached a promotional poster, if you could please print and post this it would be great, or possibly put this information in a newsletter, or on a department intranet site if there is one? Any assistance is truly appreciated as we ambitiously expand our programs this year.
 
I hope you are able to please help. and If you have any further questions please feel free to contact me
K. Michael VerKamp
WindAid S.A.C.
Volunteer@WindAid.org